10 American Idol Season 22 Contestants Who Were Eliminated Too Soon

American Idol season 22 has been one of the best ever with so many incredibly talented contestants, but there are some who were eliminated from the competition too soon. The American Idol season 22 judges–Lionel Richie, Katy Perry, and Luke Bryan–did a fantastic job of finding the best undiscovered talent. During the auditions, they gave out 140 golden tickets and three platinum tickets to Abi Carter, Julia Gagnon, and Odell Bunton Jr.

During the American Idol season 22 Hollywood Week Idol Arena round, 56 contestants made it through to the Showstoppers round, while 87 were sent home in the biggest cut in the show’s history. From those 56 contestants, the judges chose the Top 24 finalists during the Final Judgment. The Top 24 then competed for America’s votes during the Hawaii Round. As American Idol season 22 heats up, here are ten contestants who should still be in the competition.

1

American Idol Season 22 Contestant Ajii

Ajii Made It To The Top 20

American Idol season 22 contestant Ajii, a 27-year-old from Brooklyn, New York, stunned the judges at his audition with his outstanding rendition of “Lose Control” by Teddy Swims. Katy even predicted that he’d make the Top 10. Ajii received three votes of yes from the judges, and a golden ticket to Hollywood. During the Idol Arena round, Ajii sang “Simple Man” by Lynyrd Skynyrd, and then “Too Close” by Alex Clare for the Showstoppers round. During the Final Judgment, Lionel, Katy, and Luke told him that he made it to the Top 24.

During the Hawaii round, Ajii blew everyone away with his version of “Higher” by Tems. America voted him through to the Top 20, during which he sang “Like a Stone” by Audioslave. However, he didn’t receive enough votes to make it into the Top 14, so he had to sing for one of the four judges’ saves. He performed “Call Out My Name” by The Weeknd, but the judges decided not to save him.

Lionel, Katy, and Luke’s decision was a mistake because, not only was Ajii a powerful singer who was in a different league than most of the contestants, but he was a fan favorite. He was just getting started in the competition, and he deserved to go much further. Ajii will be greatly missed in the competition.

2

American Idol Season 22 Contestant Odell Bunton Jr.

Odell Made It To The Top 20

Odell, a 29-year old from Austin, Texas, impressed the judges so much at his audition with his extraordinary version of “Bring It on Home to Me” by Sam Cooke, that they gave him one of the three platinum tickets of the season. Katy declared that he was the best soul singer from season 22, and Luke marveled that he hadn’t been discovered yet. Because Odell had earned a platinum ticket, he had the privilege of skipping the Idol Arena round, but he and the other two recipients, Abi Carter and Julia Gagnon, entertained everyone with a beautiful version of “California Dreamin'” by The Mamas & The Papas.

During the Showstoppers round, Odell sang “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood” by Nina Simone. At the Final Judgment, the judges informed him that he’d made it into the Top 24. For the Hawaii round, Odell impressed everyone by singing a rousing rendition of “Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars. He earned enough votes to advance into the Top 20, during which he sang “The Door” by Teddy Swims. However, he didn’t receive enough votes to make it into the Top 14.

Odell then sang “Wait on You” by Elevation Worship and Maverick City Music (ft. Dante Bowe and Chandler Moore) in order to earn one of the four judges’ saves. He took everyone to church with his performance. However, the judges shockingly chose not to save Odell, and he was eliminated far too soon from the competition. He had so much potential for greatness, yet he was the first platinum ticket recipient to go home. The judges built Odell up by giving him the platinum ticket, but then they didn’t save him when they had the chance. He’ll be missed moving forward in the competition.

3

American Idol Season 22 Contestant Hailey Mia

Hailey Made It To The Top 24

Clifton, New Jersey resident Hailey dazzled the judges at her American Idol season 22 audition with her inspiring rendition of Katy’s “Rise.” At just 16 years old, Hailey proved that she could hold her own with the best singers in the competition. She earned three votes of yes from the judges, and a golden ticket to Hollywood. Katy even told Hailey that she was “reinspired” because of Hailey’s version of her song. During the Idol Arena, she sang “Love in the Dark” by Adele, followed by “Alive” by Sia in the Showstoppers round. During the Final Judgment, Lionel, Katy, and Luke told Hailey that she’d made it into the Top 24.

In Hawaii, Hailey sang an excellent version of “She’s All I Wanna Be” by Tate McRae. However, she didn’t receive enough votes from America to advance to the Top 20. It’s a shame that Hailey didn’t have the chance to continue in the competition. She had all of the qualities of a pop star, including youth, a stunning singing voice, and amazing stage presence. America got this one wrong, leaving everyone to wonder what Hailey could’ve done if she’d stayed on the show longer.

4

American Idol Season 22 Contestant KBlocks

KBlocks Made It To The Top 24

KBlocks, a 27-year-old from Montgomery, Alabama, had the odds stacked against her for America’s vote from the start because she was the only Top 24 contestant whose audition wasn’t shown. Therefore, she didn’t have the same chance to build a fan base as the contestants who’d been highlighted weeks before. KBlocks was first seen in the Idol Arena round, singing a lively rendition of “Valerie” by Mark Ronson and Amy Winehouse. Her Showstoppers song was “River” by Bishop Briggs. During the Final Judgment, Lionel, Katy, and Luke told her that she’d be advancing to the Top 24.

During the Hawaii round, KBlocks sang Katy’s song “Harleys in Hawaii,” but she didn’t earn enough votes from America to make it into the Top 20. Therefore, she was eliminated from the competition. This was very disappointing, but not too shocking, considering that the show didn’t give America the chance to get to know her. Production is partially to blame for KBlocks’ early exit. KBlocks was the most unique American Idol season 22 contestant, putting her own spin on songs with her quirky style. It would’ve been thrilling to see what interesting twists she would’ve put on other classic songs if she’d stayed in the competition longer.

5

American Idol Season 22 Contestant Ziggy

Ziggy Made It To The Showstoppers Round

Ziggy, a 22-year-old from The Netherlands, became a fan favorite after his audition. He sang “Million Reasons” by Lady Gaga and earned a golden ticket to Hollywood with three votes of yes from the judges. During the Idol Arena, Ziggy was the last to perform, and he was worth the wait, singing”All I Want” by Kodaline. He followed this with his stirring Showstoppers performance of “This Is Me” from The Greatest Showman. Both performances showcased Ziggy’s mind-blowing vocals.

However, at the Final Judgment, the judges asked Ziggy and his fellow contestant Mackenzie Sol to participate in a sing-off because they couldn’t decide between them. They both sang impressive versions of “Jealous” by Labrinth, but the judges decided that Mackenzie would advance to the Top 24, while Ziggy was eliminated. Not only was Ziggy a powerhouse vocalist, but he was an inspiring person who encouraged people to be themselves. Ziggy should’ve advanced because American Idol can always use a light like him to brighten the competition.

6

American Idol Season 22 Contestant Justice Murphy

Justice Made It To The Showstoppers Round

Justice, a 21-year-old from Forrest City, Arkansas, received three votes of yes and a golden ticket to Hollywood after her gorgeous rendition of “Summertime” by Fantasia, which showed her amazing vocal ability and control, as well as her vibrant star quality. During the Idol Arena, a clip of her song “I’m Here” from The Color Purple was shown. Justice advanced to the next round, but, unfortunately, viewers didn’t get to see Justice’s Showstoppers performance or her Final Judgment session with the judges because she disappeared from the show after the Idol Arena.

Justice deserved to move on in the competition. She has a beautiful voice and brought something different to American Idol. By singing two songs from musicals, she proved that she has a timeless quality that could’ve taken her far in the competition. In addition, it would’ve been exciting to see what other types of music Justice could sing well. Hopefully, Justice will return in a future season for a second chance.

7

American Idol Season 22 Contestant Micaela McCall

Micaela Made It To The Showstoppers Round

At her audition, Micaela, a 28-year-old from Santa Barbara, California, wowed the judges with her slowed down version of “Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours)” by Stevie Wonder. She received a standing ovation from Lionel, Katy, and Luke. Micaela also earned three votes of yes and a golden ticket to Hollywood.

Unfortunately, American Idol season 22 viewers never had the privilege of hearing Micaela’s voice again on the show, as her Idol Arena and Showstoppers performances weren’t aired. Her meeting with the judges during the Final Judgment also didn’t make the cut. Instead, she was shown in a montage with other eliminated contestants. With her beautiful voice and creative arrangement of her audition song, Micaela seemed to be a front-runner in the competition. However, she was cast aside for other singers, which was a mistake. Micaela should’ve been able to compete for America’s vote in the Top 24 because she had the potential to go very far.

8

American Idol Season 22 Contestant Jacy Matthews

Jacy Made It To The Idol Arena Round

Jacy, a 17-year-old from Centre, Alabama, auditioned for American Idol season 22 with her sister, Mia. At the audition, their mother, Tara, joined them because they perform as a trio together outside of the show. At the audition, Jacy sang “Help Me Make It Through The Night” by Kris Kristofferson. Although Luke voted no, Jacy earned votes of yes from Katy and Lionel and her golden ticket to Hollywood, along with her sister.

During the Idol Arena, Jacy sang “Up to the Mountain (MLK Song)” by Patty Griffin. However, she didn’t make it past the Idol Arena, and she was eliminated before the Showstoppers round. Jacy was a great singer, who deserved to go further in the competition. Not only did she have a beautiful singing voice, but it would’ve been fun to see siblings compete for America’s votes against each other for the first time in American Idol history. As her sister, Mia, moves forward in the American Idol season 22 competition, hopefully Jacy is preparing for her own comeback in American Idol season 23.

9

American Idol Season 22 Contestant Abby Blake

Abby Made It To The Idol Arena Round

Abby, a 25-year-old from Nashville, Tennessee, became best known for being finalist Kayko’s friend. He accompanied her to play the piano at her American Idol season 22 audition, but then was encouraged by the judges to try out himself. Abby sang “What About Us” by P!nk for her audition song. Although Katy voted no, Lionel and Luke gave her votes of yes, and she and Kayko advanced to Hollywood by earning their golden tickets.

During the Idol Arena round, Abby sang “Vienna” by Billy Joel. However, she was eliminated from the competition before the Showstoppers round. It’s sad that Abby left the competition so early because she had a stellar singing voice and the look of a pop star. It also would’ve been exciting to see Abby and Kayko go head-to-head during the voting rounds. Perhaps Abby can return to American Idol for a second chance in a future season.

10

American Idol Season 22 Contestant Aniston Pate

Aniston Made It To The Idol Arena Round

Aniston is a 20-year-old from Dalhart, Texas. During her audition, she sang an original song called “humminbird,” which she dedicated to her mother, who’d accompanied her to her audition. She played the guitar while singing. The judges were very impressed by the song, and they loved it. Lionel even told her that she sounded like Dolly Parton because of the way that she and Dolly told stories. Aniston earned three votes of yes and a golden ticket to Hollywood.

Unfortunately, after Aniston’s phenomenal audition, her voice was never heard again on American Idol season 22. Her Idol Arena round performance wasn’t televised, and she didn’t make it to the Showstoppers round. Aniston has a natural country music singing voice, with a storytelling quality. She deserved to make it further in the competition than she did. However, Aniston has a strong chance of being a very successful country music artist in her own right outside of the show.

American Idol season 22 has been one of the best so far, but there were a few instances in which either the judges or America got it wrong about the contestants. Hopefully, these ten talented singers will continue to pursue their music careers outside of the show. All of them have the potential to become music superstars after American Idol.